Green gifts for everyone on your list

Fri, 2010-12-03 (All day)

This year, make your list and check it twice—not just for gifts that will make your friends and family love you a little bit more, but also for companies that are doing business the eco way. Here are NewHope360's top green gift ideas.

I have been sifting through hundreds of green gifts for Delicious Living’s gift guide since mid-summer (organic hot chocolate and eco snuggie in July, anyone?), so I was elated to finally share some of New Hope’s favorite ideas on CBS this past weekend. The holiday season is here! Time to make your list and check it twice—not just for gifts that will make your friends and family love you a little bit more but for companies that are doing business the eco way.

Compiling this year’s gift guide, I also discovered that you don’t need to get on a plane to add global inspiration to your list. Infact, you can easily treat your loved ones to a sampling of other cultures, customs, and cuisines by simply taking a walk through the aisle of your natural products store. That’s why, for the 20 superb gift ideas featured in DL’s guide, we were able to travel to Italy, the Amazon, India, New Zealand, Japan, and Africa! Be sure to check it out.

Here, you’ll find more of our favorite green gifts—hailing from New Hope’s home state of Colorado—for everyone on your list (don’t worry, these picks are available nationwide). And we’d love to hear about your local favorites.

Beauty Basket

Mineral Fusion:Get a glamorous, smoky holiday eye—naturally. This Denver-based mineral makeup company debuted its eye glam kit just in time for your seasonal celebrations. Great for all skin types, Mineral Fusion doesn’t contain fillers (a common one to avoid in cosmetics: talc), parabens, chemical dyes, or perfumes and uses natural preservatives and pharmaceutical grade ingredients.

MyChelle:The pure, antioxidant-rich, plant-based ingredients (think fruit enzymes, pumpkin, cranberry, and cactus) in Mychelle products are a real indulgence for your skin. For the holidays, look for the All-in-One Gift Set or the Pumpkin Cleanser and Hydrating Mist.

Love + Toast:The fun packaging comes from sustainable and renewable resources, and the products are paraben- and phthalate-free, with no artificial colors. Festive scents include sugar grapefruit and gin blossom. Plus, a portion of proceeds go to a regional affiliate of Girls, Inc.

Seth Ellis Chocolatier Sun Cups:A delightful update to the old peanut-butter cup, this organic alternative is made with sunflower butter and luscious chocolate.

Lara Bar:Founded ten years ago, this company was one of the first to redefine the classic “bar” by cutting out extra ingredients and processing steps. These products contain between two to nine ingredients, all of which are whole foods like fruits, nuts, and spices. New flavors (great for holidays!) include carrot cake and chocolate chip brownie.